Aerial airfield



AERIAL AIRFIELD Filed Aug. 11, 1945 Patented Apr. 30, 1946 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE AERIAL AIRFIELD J. D: Cleveland Brown, Oakland, Calif.

Application August 11, 1945, Serial No. 610,255

7 Claims. (Cl. 244-30) This invention relates to airfields and moreparticularly to a mobile airfield, movable to desired locations on land,water and in the air, and it consists in the constructions, arrangementsand combinations herein described and claimed.

It is a cardinal object of the invention to provide an airfield whereingreat buoyancy is provided, enabling the structure to be employed in thetransport of many planes, guns, personnel, and war and defense equipmentgenerally, as well as providing a plurality of runways from which planesand other craft may take off or land.

More specifically it is an important object of the invention to providea boat-like structure divided into a plurality of superposedcompartments for housing balloon envelopes adapted to be inflated by agas, the compartment being arranged in vertical spaced relationproviding additiona1 compartments for storage and cargo purposes, aswell as accommodations for personnel of the craft.

It is also an important object of the invention to provide a craft inwhich a take-off runway is provided longitudinally thereof, positionedabove the main deck of the craft, affording ample clearance for taxiingpurposes, both when taking off or landing a ship, one end of the runwayincluding a ramp structure whereby an airplane or the like may gainaccess thereto, and in addition elevator means are provided wherebyplanes may be carried directly between different interior deck levels aswell as the runway.

Additional objects, advantages and features of invention will beapparent from the following description considered in conjunction withthe ac companying drawing, wherein Figure l is a perspective view of thecraft and airfield.

Figure 2 is a vertical cross section therethrough.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the airfield.

Figure 4 is a top plan view thereof.

There is illustrated an airfield, generally indicated by the referencecharacter Ill, consisting of a hull structure I l in the presentinstance, being shown as having a flat bottom [2, inclined sides I3 andrespective forwardly and rearwardly inclined stem and stem, althoughother lines may be followed in order to obtain a desired streamlineeffect, so as to overcome resistance when employed in water or in theair.

The hull II is divided transversely by deck structures l4, l5, l8, andI1, providing respective compartments H3, in which inflatable balloonenvelopes l9 are disposed.

As may be seen in Figure 2, a fuel or ballast compartment 29 is providedbeneath the deck l4, while between the decks l5 and IS an intermediatehold 2! is provided, admirably suited for cargo, machinery and the like,while between the deck 22 and. the deck I! a compartment 23 is formed,the latter being used as a repair shop, or storage space as desired.

Extending longitudinally of th craft ID, a superstructure 24 is shownextending from the stem and stopping inwardly of the stern of the craft.The roof 25 of the superstructure functions as a runway from whichaeroplanes may take off, and in order that such planes may be brought upto the roof, a ramp 26 is provided, which may include an escalator 21.In addition, it is contemplated to use elevators 28 operable throughshafts 29, the latter extending from the deck l4 and opening upon theroof 25 of the superstructure 24.

Concealed gun emplacements 30 are arranged at suitable points in thecraft and upper and lower pilot houses 3| and 32 are likewise provided,while observation walks 33 are arranged at front and rear of the craft.Deck and tunnel rooms 34 are provided in the lower portion of thesuperstructure.

From the description thus far set forth it will be seen that threeseparate runways are provided, namely, the roof 25 and the deck portions22 disposed upon the sides of the superstructure 24.

It will be apparent that with the balloon envelopes inflated, the craftwill rise into the air and upon proper manipulation of the airpropellers 36 the craft may be readily steered.

When the craft is to be employed in the water, propulsion is obtainedthrough operation of side wheels 31 and propeller 38 and steerage iseffected through the rudder 39 as will be apparent.

In order that the craft may travel upon land driven wheels 40 areprovided in the hull of the craft, retractable upwardly therewithin whenused in water or land.

It will be understood, of course, that my airfield may be constructed indifferent sizes, depending upon particular requirements, and the balloonenvelopes for encasing the gas, preferably helium, will be proportionedaccordingly to produce the necessary buoyancy and lift to the craft.

While I have shown and described a preferred form of my airfield, thisis by way of illustration only, and I consider as my own all suchmodifications in structure as fairly fall within the scope of theappended claims.

I claim:

1. A mobile airfield comprising a hull divided into a plurality ofcompartments, an inflated balloon in each compartment affording buoyancyto the hull, the upper portion of the hull having a deck the full lengththereof, a superstructure medially and longitudinally of said deckaffording aeroplane runways upon the sides of the superstructure, andsaid superstructure having an upper deck affording a further runway.

2. The structure'of claim 1 in which the superstructure stops short ofthe stern of the hull and ramp means extended between the deck of thehull and the deck of the superstructure.

3. The structure of claim 1 in which the superstructure stops short ofthe stern of the hull, a ramp extended between the deck of the 'hull andthe deck of the superstructure, and an escalator means formed in saidramp extending throughmedially and longitudinally of said deck affordingaeroplane runways upon the sides of the superstructure, saidsuperstructure having an upper deck affording a further runway, elevatorshafts formed medially and extending vertically of said hull, extendingfrom a lowermost deck and opening upon the deck of said superstructure,an elevator in each of said shafts, said superstructure stopping shortof the stern of the hull, a ramp extending between the deck of the hulland the deck of the superstructure and an escalator means formed in saidramp extending throughout the length of the ramp,

5. The structure of claim {1 in which side wheels are provided upon saidhull for propulsion in Water.

6. The structure of claim 4 in which projectable driven land wheels areprovided for propulsion on land.

7. The structure of claim 4 in which the hull includes driven airpropellers for steerage purposes when afioat in the air. 7

J. D. CLEVELAND BROWN.

